Baltimore City Department of Planning e-News - February 2018

A Message from the Director

This month, we are preparing to release the DRAFT Baltimore Green Network Plan in March. The Plan will guide the reuse of vacant lots and properties throughout Baltimore, with the goal of increasing land use equity and urban resiliency in Baltimore City. We are seeking feedback on the content of the Draft, via civic comment, email and in-person. We hope that you join us at the public meetings - see below for dates and further information.

We are also kicking off a new series of public engagement workshops, called Plug into Planning, this month. These workshops provide an opportunity for our neighbors to meet us in a relaxed, open-house atmosphere to learn about our major programs and initiatives. At each workshop, we will provide further information on opportunities for the public to plug into the urban planning and development process in Baltimore, and provide a preview of our Planning Academy concept.

The Planning Academy, coming in late 2018/early 2019, will provide community leaders with an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the Department of Planning, with the goal of equipping community members with the tools necessary to effectively advocate on behalf of their neighbors and the City at-large on planning and development issues. Please see below for more information about the Plug into Planning workshops and join us this month to learn more.

Thomas J. Stosur, Director

Plug into Planning this Month!

This month, don't miss your opportunity to interact directly with planners and learn what is going on in our Department, and how you can get more directly involved in the planning and development process in Baltimore. See below for more information, and register on our Facebook page.

New Neighborhood Plans Policy Now Posted

On January 11, 2018 the Planning Commission adopted a new policy regarding community-managed plans. This policy exists to clarify the difference between City-managed plans and Community-managed plans.

Many communities initiate their own planning processes that result in a neighborhood master plan or
other topical plan document. With the establishment of this new neighborhood plan
policy, communities seeking to have their plan recognized by the Planning Commission and receive an
official acceptance letter must meet the Community-managed Plans Procedures & Guidelines. The benefits of pursuing recognition are also outlined in the new policy.

2018 Critical Area Management Program Grant Application Period: NOW OPEN!

Baltimore City's Critical Area Management Program (CAMP) exists to improve the water quality of the Bay by controlling pollution from stormwater runoff and protecting wildlife habitat along the shoreline.

As part of this program, some developers in the floodplain may pay into an offset fund when unable to meet mitigation requirements on or off-site. This fund is made available to non-profit organizations on an annual basis, to support projects that meet the primary goals of CAMP, and, this year, support the goals of the Baltimore Green Network Plan.

More information and an application is available on this website. The application period is open until February 28.

Director Presents at Whittemore Conference

In January, Director Tom Stosur joined Jennifer Dowdell and Jennifer Missett of Biohabitats to discuss the Baltimore Green Network Plan at the 2018 Whittemore Lecture at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability. The panel was an opportunity to present the Baltimore Green Network concept to a broader audience beyond Maryland. It focused on both the data analysis that underpins the plan and the community input that informed the plan recommendations.

Save the Dates!

Baltimore Green Network
Public Comment Period: March 5th through April 29th

Draft Plan Document will be
available for review and comment using Civicomment commenting tool on our website.

Overview Webinar with Live
Q&A: March 9th from 12:30 to 1:30 pm

Public Comment Open House for Baltimore Green Network: March
15th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Mother Seton Academy (2215 Greenmount
Avenue)

Sustainability Town
Hall: April 11th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the War Memorial (101 N Gay
Street)

Two New INSPIRE planning processes underway

The INSPIRE planning process at Arlington ES and Bay Brook ES/MS has kicked off this winter. Please keep an eye on our website for more information about upcoming meetings and opportunities to weigh in on the process.

Job Opportunities

We are currently recruiting for:

Upcoming Events

2/21 - Plug into Planning @ Forest Park

An interactive, open-house style workshop where community members can meet planners and learn about current projects and upcoming opportunities to shape the course of Baltimore's development. Visit our Facebook Social Media page to learn more and register.

2/21 - Lunch and Learn with Baltimore City CDCs

Join the Department of Planning for a brown bag lunchtime discussion with Baltimore's community development organizations (CDCs), including Bon Secours, Coppin Heights CDC, Southeast CDC and St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center. The discussion will take place at noon at the Department of Planning (417 E Fayette Street, 8th Floor). All are welcome.

2/22 - Planning Commission

The Planning Commission meets regularly each month. All meetings are held in the Phoebe B. Stanton Boardroom of the Department of Planning, located on the 8th floor of 417 East Fayette Street and are open to the public. Live streaming is available.

2/26 - Plug into Planning @ Waverly Library

An interactive, open-house style workshop where community members can meet planners and learn about current projects and upcoming opportunities to shape the course of Baltimore's development. Visit our Facebook Social Media page to learn more and register.

2/27 - Plug into Planning @ the Door

An interactive, open-house style workshop where community members can meet planners and learn about current projects and upcoming opportunities to shape the course of Baltimore's development. Visit our Facebook Social Media page to learn more and register.

3/1 - UDARP

The Urban Design and Architecture Review Panel’s goal is to achieve the highest quality for the planned and built environment of Baltimore City by providing design review expertise in the areas of urban design, architecture, and landscape design for all proposed master planning efforts and significant development projects.

3/7 - Better Maryland public listening session

A Better Maryland is the new statewide development plan. On March 7, the state will be hosting a public listening session at Morgan State University, Center for Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies, Room 111 at 6:30 PM.